The Fullerton Coyotes Club had a special guest Councilmember Dr Ahmad Zahra on April 19 at the Woodcrest Park clean-up.

In a recent interview, Dylan Ardaya, the organizer of the Fullerton Coyote Club, shared insights into the group’s mission and activities, highlighting its commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Founded on June 18, 2024, the Fullerton Coyote Club began as a running group with Ardaya and his friends, Ethan Yan and Fernando Munoz. Initially focused on weekly runs, the trio decided to expand their efforts to include trail cleanups in late September 2024. Their first cleanup took place on the Lucy Van der Hoff Trail, marking the beginning of a thriving volunteer initiative.

“We perform 1-3 volunteer cleanups per month, usually scheduled on Saturdays to accommodate school commitments,” Ardaya explained. “Our team meets every Friday night to reflect on our progress and plan future events.”

While the club primarily draws youth members, it is not limited to students. Ardaya emphasized that members of all ages are welcome to participate. Currently, the organization boasts an impressive roster of 40+ volunteers from various high schools, including Troy, Sunny Hills, Brea Olinda, Sonora, and Acacia.

“We are community-based and hope to inspire others in different cities to advocate for local parks and recreation,” he noted.

Ardaya also highlighted an important aspect of their initiative: the provision of service hours for volunteers. Each participant receives a timesheet to log their hours, which are later confirmed by George Zeng of the city’s Parks and Recreation department. “These volunteer hours can count toward the Presidential Service Award, a valuable credential for high school students,” he added.

The group maintains an active presence on Instagram, posting regular updates and engaging with the community. We also message people through Instagram’s direct messages. If someone does not have Instagram, they can contact us through our Gmail: fullertoncoyotesclub@gmaill.com or through my personal cell phone: (657) 478-6012.

In summary, the Fullerton Coyote Club not only promotes a healthier lifestyle through running but also cultivates a sense of community through its trail revitalization efforts. Ardaya and his team’s dedication to both health and environmental stewardship exemplifies the positive impact local youth can have in their neighborhoods.

For more information on joining their efforts, interested individuals are encouraged to visit their website: https://fullertoncoyotesclub.com/